Shearwater (band)
Encyclopedia
Shearwater is an American
indie rock
band
formed in Austin, Texas
in 1999 by Okkervil River members Jonathan Meiburg
and Will Sheff
, although Sheff is no longer with Shearwater.
and Will Sheff
, who began their collaboration as members of the critically lauded Okkervil River, founded Shearwater in 2001 as an outlet for quieter songs on which the two were working. The band's name comes from the shearwater
, a tribe of seabirds related to petrels and albatrosses. Meiburg, who holds a master's degree in geography with a focus on ornithology, picked the name mostly for the sound of the word.
Shearwater's debut, The Dissolving Room
, introduced Meiburg's now ex-wife Kim Burke on upright bass; shortly after, drummer and vibraphonist Thor Harris joined the band.
The addition of multi-instrumentalist Howard Draper plus tours and support dates with The Mountain Goats
, Akron/Family
and Blonde Redhead
brought them exposure. Shearwater developed their music through several initial albums such as Everybody Makes Mistakes
and Winged Life
, as well as the Thieves
EP
.
In May 2006, Shearwater released their fourth full-length album, Palo Santo
, to much acclaim from critics and fans. On April 10, 2007, Shearwater, then signed on Matador Records
, re-released a 2-disc edition of Palo Santo with bonus and re-recorded tracks from the original album.
Matador Records released the album Rook
on June 3, 2008. On the tour that followed, Shearwater opened for Clinic
and later Coldplay
. Additional touring accompanists were added at that time: Jordan Geiger of Hospital Ships and Minus Story
(on cornet, synthesizer, and percussion) and Kevin Schneider of Black Before Red (on keyboard, bass, and guitar) replaced Howard Draper.
On February 23, 2010, they released their sixth album, The Golden Archipelago
, which the band produced with John Congleton. The band toured extensively behind the record in 2010, with an international tours in the spring (with Wye Oak
and Hospital Ships opening) and additional U.S. dates in the fall (with special guest Damien Jurado
). Longtime live accompanists Geiger and Schneider notably did not come along on this tour.
On November 6, 2010, the band released an instrumental album, Shearwater is Enron, via their BandCamp site. The album was recorded in the spring of 2010 and includes live material recorded at a performance under the pseudonym "Enron." It introduces some textures not traditionally associated with the band, such as electronic drum tracks and squalling guitar rock. Members of Wye Oak
and Hospital Ships assist on the live tracks.
The band has announced plans to record a new album in 2011. Meiburg has described the previous three as a trilogy and has stated that the new album will likely be a departure from the previous three, expressing an interest in exploring their "rock" side more.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
formed in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
in 1999 by Okkervil River members Jonathan Meiburg
Jonathan Meiburg
Jonathan Meiburg, born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 1st, 1976, is a multi-instrumentalist musician and the lead singer and songwriter for Shearwater , a band he co-founded with Will Sheff in Austin, Texas. He also shared duties with Sheff as a member of Okkervil River...
and Will Sheff
Will Sheff
Will Sheff is the frontman for the Austin, Texas-based indie band Okkervil River . Originally from Meriden, New Hampshire, he is also a founding member and co-songwriter for Shearwater , another Austin band...
, although Sheff is no longer with Shearwater.
History
Jonathan MeiburgJonathan Meiburg
Jonathan Meiburg, born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 1st, 1976, is a multi-instrumentalist musician and the lead singer and songwriter for Shearwater , a band he co-founded with Will Sheff in Austin, Texas. He also shared duties with Sheff as a member of Okkervil River...
and Will Sheff
Will Sheff
Will Sheff is the frontman for the Austin, Texas-based indie band Okkervil River . Originally from Meriden, New Hampshire, he is also a founding member and co-songwriter for Shearwater , another Austin band...
, who began their collaboration as members of the critically lauded Okkervil River, founded Shearwater in 2001 as an outlet for quieter songs on which the two were working. The band's name comes from the shearwater
Shearwater
Shearwaters are medium-sized long-winged seabirds. There are more than 30 species of shearwaters, a few larger ones in the genus Calonectris and many smaller species in the genus Puffinus...
, a tribe of seabirds related to petrels and albatrosses. Meiburg, who holds a master's degree in geography with a focus on ornithology, picked the name mostly for the sound of the word.
Shearwater's debut, The Dissolving Room
The Dissolving Room
The Dissolving Room is Shearwater's first full-length album, released on February 20, 2001, by Grey Flat Records.-Track listing:#"Mulholland" - 3:27#"Ella is the First Rider" - 3:38#"Grey Lining" - 3:25...
, introduced Meiburg's now ex-wife Kim Burke on upright bass; shortly after, drummer and vibraphonist Thor Harris joined the band.
The addition of multi-instrumentalist Howard Draper plus tours and support dates with The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats
The Mountain Goats is an American indie rock band formed in Claremont, CA by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle himself, despite the plural moniker....
, Akron/Family
Akron/Family
Akron/Family is a folk-influenced experimental rock band that formed in 2002, and its members currently live in Portland, Oregon , Tucson, Arizona and New York City, New York.-Music and history:...
and Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead
Blonde Redhead is an American alternative rock band composed of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace , which formed in New York City in 1993....
brought them exposure. Shearwater developed their music through several initial albums such as Everybody Makes Mistakes
Everybody Makes Mistakes (Shearwater)
Everybody Makes Mistakes is Shearwater's second full-length album, released on October 1, 2002, on Misra Records.-Track listing :#"An Accident" – 2:31#"Well, Benjamin" – 3:15#"Soon" – 2:33...
and Winged Life
Winged Life
Winged Life is Shearwater's third full-length album, released on March 16, 2004, on Misra Records.-Track listing:#"A Hush" – 4:17#"My Good Deed" – 5:52#"Whipping Boy" – 4:42...
, as well as the Thieves
Thieves (EP)
Thieves is a 2005 EP by the Austin, Texas band Shearwater.-Track listing:#"I Can't Wait"#"You're the Coliseum"#"Mountain Laurel"#"There's a Mark Where You Were Breathing"#"Near a Garden"-External links:**...
EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
.
In May 2006, Shearwater released their fourth full-length album, Palo Santo
Palo Santo
Palo Santo is Shearwater's fourth full-length album, released on May 9, 2006, on Misra Records. The album was re-released in an expanded, partly re-recorded, fully remastered and repackaged edition on April 10, 2007, on the label Matador Records....
, to much acclaim from critics and fans. On April 10, 2007, Shearwater, then signed on Matador Records
Matador Records
Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
, re-released a 2-disc edition of Palo Santo with bonus and re-recorded tracks from the original album.
Matador Records released the album Rook
Rook (album)
Rook is the fifth studio album by American indie rock band Shearwater. It was released on June 3, 2008, on the Matador Records label. The track "Rooks" was the first single from the album. The album was previewed on May 5, 2008 and May 29, 2008, at two special concerts in Manhattan and Austin,...
on June 3, 2008. On the tour that followed, Shearwater opened for Clinic
Clinic
A clinic is a health care facility that is primarily devoted to the care of outpatients...
and later Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
. Additional touring accompanists were added at that time: Jordan Geiger of Hospital Ships and Minus Story
Minus Story
Minus Story is an indie rock based in Lawrence, Kansas. The core members of the band met growing up in Boonville, Missouri and are known for their off-kilter, sunny melodies and quirky instrumentation that forms the "wall of crap" sound....
(on cornet, synthesizer, and percussion) and Kevin Schneider of Black Before Red (on keyboard, bass, and guitar) replaced Howard Draper.
On February 23, 2010, they released their sixth album, The Golden Archipelago
The Golden Archipelago
The Golden Archipelago is the sixth studio album by American indie rock band Shearwater. It was released on February 23, 2010, on the Matador Records label. The track "Black Eyes" is the first single from the album....
, which the band produced with John Congleton. The band toured extensively behind the record in 2010, with an international tours in the spring (with Wye Oak
Wye Oak (band)
Wye Oak are an indie folk rock duo from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, composed of Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner . Their sound has been described as "earnest folk-influenced indie rock with touches of noise and dream pop"...
and Hospital Ships opening) and additional U.S. dates in the fall (with special guest Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado is an American indie rock singer/songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Over the years he has released albums on many labels; today, his primary label is Secretly Canadian.-Music career:...
). Longtime live accompanists Geiger and Schneider notably did not come along on this tour.
On November 6, 2010, the band released an instrumental album, Shearwater is Enron, via their BandCamp site. The album was recorded in the spring of 2010 and includes live material recorded at a performance under the pseudonym "Enron." It introduces some textures not traditionally associated with the band, such as electronic drum tracks and squalling guitar rock. Members of Wye Oak
Wye Oak (band)
Wye Oak are an indie folk rock duo from Baltimore, Maryland, USA, composed of Andy Stack and Jenn Wasner . Their sound has been described as "earnest folk-influenced indie rock with touches of noise and dream pop"...
and Hospital Ships assist on the live tracks.
The band has announced plans to record a new album in 2011. Meiburg has described the previous three as a trilogy and has stated that the new album will likely be a departure from the previous three, expressing an interest in exploring their "rock" side more.
Albums
- The Dissolving RoomThe Dissolving RoomThe Dissolving Room is Shearwater's first full-length album, released on February 20, 2001, by Grey Flat Records.-Track listing:#"Mulholland" - 3:27#"Ella is the First Rider" - 3:38#"Grey Lining" - 3:25...
- 2001 / Grey Flat - Everybody Makes MistakesEverybody Makes Mistakes (Shearwater)Everybody Makes Mistakes is Shearwater's second full-length album, released on October 1, 2002, on Misra Records.-Track listing :#"An Accident" – 2:31#"Well, Benjamin" – 3:15#"Soon" – 2:33...
- 2002 / MisraMisra RecordsMisra Records is an independent record label run out of Durham, North Carolina with branch offices in Washington D.C., Seattle, Washington, and Los Angeles, California.... - Winged LifeWinged LifeWinged Life is Shearwater's third full-length album, released on March 16, 2004, on Misra Records.-Track listing:#"A Hush" – 4:17#"My Good Deed" – 5:52#"Whipping Boy" – 4:42...
- 2004 / Misra - Palo SantoPalo SantoPalo Santo is Shearwater's fourth full-length album, released on May 9, 2006, on Misra Records. The album was re-released in an expanded, partly re-recorded, fully remastered and repackaged edition on April 10, 2007, on the label Matador Records....
- 2006 / Misra - RookRook (album)Rook is the fifth studio album by American indie rock band Shearwater. It was released on June 3, 2008, on the Matador Records label. The track "Rooks" was the first single from the album. The album was previewed on May 5, 2008 and May 29, 2008, at two special concerts in Manhattan and Austin,...
- 2008 / Matador - The Golden ArchipelagoThe Golden ArchipelagoThe Golden Archipelago is the sixth studio album by American indie rock band Shearwater. It was released on February 23, 2010, on the Matador Records label. The track "Black Eyes" is the first single from the album....
- 2010 / Matador - Shearwater Is Enron - 2010 / (self-published)
- TBA - 2012 / Sub Pop
Split albums
- Sham Wedding/Hoax FuneralSham Wedding/Hoax FuneralSham Wedding/Hoax Funeral is a split CD featuring Austin, Texas "brother bands" Okkervil River and Shearwater. It was first available only at North American tour dates in the spring and summer of 2004, but fans later were able to purchase it online. The tracks include demos, unreleased songs and...
- 2004 / Jound / CD Split with Okkervil River
EPs
- ThievesThieves (EP)Thieves is a 2005 EP by the Austin, Texas band Shearwater.-Track listing:#"I Can't Wait"#"You're the Coliseum"#"Mountain Laurel"#"There's a Mark Where You Were Breathing"#"Near a Garden"-External links:**...
- 2005 / Misra / EP - The Snow LeopardThe Snow Leopard (EP)The Snow Leopard is an EP by the Austin, Texas band Shearwater, released on October 14, 2008.-Track listing:All songs composed by Jonathan Meiburg, except where noted.#"The Snow Leopard " - 5:02 - Preview this song at...
- 2008 / MatadorMatador RecordsMatador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...
/ EP
External links
- Official website
- NPR Song of the Day
- Austin Chronicle Feature
- Interview with Jonathan Meiburg at Aural States, June 2008